Controller
Kalispell, MT
Full Time
Finance and Accounting
Manager/Supervisor
Controller
Position Open Until Filled
Non-Union, Exempt, Full-Time
Grade 12, $97,052 - $120,203 DOE
Location: Kalispell, MT (Onsite)
All Offers of Employment Conditioned on Pre-employment Drug Screening and Background Check and are Subject to a One-Year Probationary Period of Employment.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Controller at FEC manages the general ledger, trial balance, and financial statements, ensuring timely month-end closings and accurate reporting. Responsibilities include preparing and validating Form 7, overseeing bank reconciliations and deposit management, and conducting detailed review of payroll, accounts payable, and work order processes. The Controller also coordinates annual audits, maintains compliance with tax regulations (990 and 990T), and administers the organization’s debt portfolio and investments.This role supervises accounting staff, supports budget preparation with the CFO, and ensures effective internal controls and adherence to accounting principles. The Controller leads departmental training on financial systems, represents FEC at meetings, and acts as backup for key accounting functions, supporting the overall financial integrity and operational efficiency of the organization.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Accurately administer, reconcile, and maintain the general ledger, trial balance, and financial statements for FEC. Coordinate timing of month-end closing and posting deadlines of various modules in order to produce financial statements in a timely manner. On a monthly basis provide a detailed review of the trial balance.
- Maintain and update all folders and files associated with the monthly preparation of the Form 7. Prepare and validate the Form 7 for managers’ approval. Present monthly financial reporting at board meetings in manager’s absence and/or provide special project presentations as requested.
- Responsible for the preparation and submission of the CFC and or the RUS Form 7 on an annual basis.
- Monitor the CIS to GL balancing report and follow up with Billing & Collections Supervisor as necessary.
- Oversee the accuracy of the Deposit Management system and reconciliation of all checking and savings accounts on a monthly basis. Provide a detailed monthly review of all bank account reconciliations.
- Prepare and process invoices as needed. Verify with other FEC personnel, where applicable, to ensure that all invoices are valid and accurate.
- Perform the primary review of the bi-weekly payroll for completeness and accuracy. Oversee the transmittal of funding payroll, payroll taxes, and deferred compensation. Ensure that group benefits are paid timely and accurately.
- Perform the primary review of weekly Accounts Payable processes, including checks and ACH payments.
- Oversee the accounting processes related to the Work Order and Asset Management systems, including, but not limited to:
- Continuing Property Records.
- Monthly work order closing.
- Oversee the issuance of the Departmental Budget to Actual reports on a monthly basis.
- As part of the annual audit, provide direct contact with outside auditors including coordination and preparation of any requested audit schedules and work papers. Assist with the preparation of the IRS 990 by providing information to outside auditors.
- Oversee the accounting and record keeping process for Roundup for Safety.
- Provide the primary review of checking disbursements for safety related community projects.
- Serve as the primary contact for the Roundup for Safety annual agreed upon procedures or audit and 990 preparation. Keep Roundup for Safety bank signatories up to date, and coordinate updating bank and NISC of new signers as necessary.
- Supervise and/or oversee the Payroll Administrator, Accountant II, and Accounting Administrator functions to ensure their optimum performance, serving as their back up when necessary.
- Assist Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with the preparation of the annual budget. Coordinate with department managers in budget preparation and provide needed historical information. Responsible for the budget upload to the NISC system.
- Perform the annual overhead rate study ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Responsible for maintaining the debt portfolio spreadsheets, updating monthly for debt payments and interest accruals.
- Ensure that all tax and regulatory filings are met. Act as the primary contact for all inquiries relating to payroll, workers’ compensation, and other filings.
- Maintain the Investments in Associated Organizations general ledger accounts and the related Repository folders.
- Process the monthly power bills and power purchase invoices, send power purchase statement to Stoltze and prepare payments (blue sheets/green sheets) to complete the cycle. Maintain the power bills spreadsheets and the related links.
- Manage the contra expense account budgets in conjunction with preparing the Form 7.
- Reconcile the Workers Compensation amortization in regard to the payment and dividend and develop/update the rate used in payroll.
- Evaluate and update journal posting security as employees begin employment or employees transfer positions.
- Ensure accuracy of employee benefit information available through Connect Financials and oversee annual notification reminder for employees to view information.
- Ensure that adequate internal controls exist over the accounting function.
- Prepare, review, and maintain written procedures of various processes in the Finance & Accounting Department.
- Monitor various accounting procedures to see that they are performed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
- Act as primary contact for NISC Financials modules. Coordinate training of direct reports on these NISC modules.
- Work with other departments to ensure that NISC Financials system is being utilized appropriately to maximize the value of not only the NISC Financials system, but also the sub-systems that are used. Provide training/information to other departments on the proper use of the NISC Financials system.
- Perform year-end NISC software processes to close the year, allocate margins, and distribute profit.
- Supervision: With the goals of the organization consistently in mind, and in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), manage the activities of the employees of direct report to include, but not limited to:
- Oversee the activities of the employees of direct report encouraging successful completion of all assigned responsibilities. Ensure adequate staffing at all times to meet the member’s needs.
- Provide ongoing feedback to the individual employee regarding his/her performance; reinforce the performance which should be retained and give direction for the performance which should be changed/corrected. Prepare and conduct department personnel annual performance reviews. Working with Human Resources, recommend disciplinary action when necessary, following FEC policies.
- Provide training for new and existing employees of direct report ensuring each employee is trained thoroughly and is given every opportunity to be successful in his/her position.
- Coordinate with Human Resources for open department positions, advertise, screen, interview, and recommend a qualified applicant for hiring. Ensure selected applicant meets the minimum requirements for the open position.
- Always assist members/vendors/employees and the general public in a courteous and professional manner ensuring their continued satisfaction with FEC. Work in harmony and show respect to all fellow employees in order to promote an effective and pleasant working environment.
- Maintain ongoing communication with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) regarding situations requiring immediate attention, problems/concerns, questions, etc.
- In pursuit of zero workplace incidents, promote and maintain a positive safety culture while adhering to all applicable policies outlined in the Safety Manual. Report all incidents and potential safety hazards in a timely manner to supervisor or Safety Coordinator.
- Become familiar with and keep current with FEC objectives and applicable policies.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management applying the same skill and enthusiasm as with regularly assigned responsibilities.
MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business-related field.
Job Related Experience: 5 to 10 years in accounting.
Supervision: Experience Supervising Required.
Computer Skills: Proficient on 10-key and computer, including Microsoft Office 365.
Certificates & Licenses: CPA/CMA preferred.
Other Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business-related field.
Job Related Experience: 5 to 10 years in accounting.
Supervision: Experience Supervising Required.
Computer Skills: Proficient on 10-key and computer, including Microsoft Office 365.
Certificates & Licenses: CPA/CMA preferred.
Other Qualifications
- Able to work 40 hours per week with additional time as needed.
- Valid Montana Driver’s License and be insurable to drive FEC vehicles.
- Present a professional appearance at all times.
- Be a team player with effective verbal and written skills.
- Be or become involved in professional, community and industry related activities.
- Able to travel occasionally out-of-area and/or overnight.
- Legible handwriting.
- Exhibit excellent member relations and customer service skills.
- Consistently meet deadlines, budgets and work on projects simultaneously.
- Able to establish and maintain working relationships with a variety of individuals, some of whom have opposing points of view.
- Working knowledge of FERC accounting standards.
- Be organized, accurate and exercise strong attention to detail.
- Possess proven ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to handle difficult situations.
- Able to effectively coordinate and follow office processes and procedures.
- Must have critical thinking skills; be autonomous and self-driven; be able to work well independently and with others; and must exercise good judgment.
| PHYSICAL DEMANDS (Based on an 8 hour work day) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lift/Carry
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Push/Pull
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position
R (Rarely) Position requires this activity up to 5% of the time (0 - 2 hrs./day)
O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 6% - 33% of the time (2 - 4 hrs./day)
F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 34% - 66% of the time (4 - 6 hrs./day)
C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (8+ hrs./day)
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Will be working mostly indoors but will occasionally be required to participate in activities outdoors in all types of weather and terrain.
As a cooperative, Flathead Electric is owned by the members who get their power from our Co-op, which includes everyone in the Flathead, Libby and Cooke City areas of Montana. That means the employees are members and own the cooperative too. We treat every member like family and friends, because they are.
For 85 years, Flathead Electric Cooperative has been an employer of choice in Northwest Montana. As part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Flathead Electric provides competitive pay, exceptional benefits including a retirement plan, a matching 401K, and generous health/dental/vision/disability insurance. We try to incorporate fun into our workdays, host employee family events throughout the year and provide opportunities for our employees to help the Board of Trustees shape the future of the Co-op by participating on exploratory advisory groups an, innovative pilot projects.
We believe in hiring the best and promoting from within. Flathead Electric provides on the job training and offers an education reimbursement program for those employees wishing to better their education to pursue opportunities at our Co-op. Flathead Electric is an equal opportunity employer. Flathead Electric Cooperative does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, political belief, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, or retaliation.
Some positions are “safety sensitive,” some require a CDL, and all have access to confidential member information at times. Therefore, we screen our applicants thoroughly. All employment offers are contingent upon passing a limited background check and a drug screening appropriate for the position. Once hired, employment is subject to a one-year probationary period, during which time employment may be terminated with or without cause and with or without notice.
By submitting this application, the applicant affirms that information provided is true and complete information, no requested information has been concealed, and Flathead Electric Cooperative is authorized to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information provided is found to be untrue, or concealed, employment may be denied or terminated.
Apply for this position
Required*